QT 4/27/2022 Matt 26:17-19, What will be our epitaph?

Matthew 26:17–19 (ESV) — 17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

 

NOTE: This is the only place in scripture when Jesus uses the term disciples, that he does not apply conditions to what it means to be a disciple. The word was very common and the Pharisees, John the Baptist, and others had disciples. They were simply followers. But when Jesus uses the term, it never means just a follower. Here are a few examples:

 

Luke 14:27 (ESV) — “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

Luke 14:33 (ESV) — “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

John 15:8 (ESV) — “By this my father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

John 8:31 (ESV) — So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, …

John 13:34-35 (ESV) — 34 “A new commandment i give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

So this passage in Matthew 26, which occurs at the end of his life, is unique because Jesus uses the term disciple without any additional caveats. In essence, the twelve are now Jesus' disciples. And "his" disciples are going to share the Passover meal with them.

 

What a neat thought -- for Jesus to call me "his disciple." The similar thought is found in the earlier story in Matthew:

 

Matthew 25:21 (ESV) — 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

 

That is our desire -- for Jesus to call us "his disciple" and for him to tell us "well done" at the end of our life.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I really Jesus' disciple or just a follower?
2. Will Jesus say "well done" to me at the end of my life? Did I live for him or for myself?

 

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for our selfish way of life. We want to live for you. We want to honor you. We want to hear "well done" at the end of our life and to be known as your disciple. Empower us and strengthen us to do what is right.